Originally Posted by ianch99 (Post 36042318)

I am surprised you say this. Applying pure capitalism to something that is chronically needed by the whole world is immoral. Putting aside the greed, who do you think would benefit from these profits? Would 3rd world countries be able to afford these prices or would we just let them die?

Originally Posted by downquark1 (Post 36042325)

Not if capitalism does a good job distributing it at low prices. I don't care if someone makes a profit in the process.

Originally Posted by Hugh (Post 36042327)

That's not working so well for insulin users in the USA at the moment...

Originally Posted by jfman (Post 36042260)

Well that depends really. If the UK found the vaccine we should extract maximum revenue from the rest of the world for it. That's exactly what the United States would do, so good practice for us.

It's just statistically improbable that we would, so yes hedge our bets.

Mismanagement of the virus is likely to make a vaccine pointless anyway. While it might prevent more serious outcomes, it is likely to start to wearing off after 3 months to 1 year (like the flu jab) so it's now a certainty to remain within the global population for years to come to a greater or lesser degree. Great news for the capitalists who thought that the long game was better for economic outcomes. :)

Previous generations fought wars for years and we couldn't support (as a planet) everyone sitting on their arse for three months. I think that says a lot about us really...

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter (Post 36042361)

That's a good point. It won't just be a case of vaccinating everyone and that's it, it will have to be repeatedly done.

Maybe to cut costs it will only be given to people with a high risk of complications from contracting Covid-19? Trouble is, the rest of the population might not die, but it will result in higher rates of sickness abscence. Ripe for fraud too, how many managers would want to insist that someone claiming to have the symptoms comes into work?

Does anyone think that there will be forced vaccinations (here or elsewhere) when/if one is found? It sounds like a draconian measure, but if some people refuse to have one, how are Governments likely to react?

Originally Posted by ianch99 (Post 36042318)

I am surprised you say this. Applying pure capitalism to something that is chronically needed by the whole world is immoral. Putting aside the greed, who do you think would benefit from these profits? Would 3rd world countries be able to afford these prices or would we just let them die?

This is the only solution that should be considered ..

Originally Posted by Sephiroth (Post 36042322)

Originally Posted by jfman (Post 36042369)

While I've got many reservations about capitalism I'm able to observe it and comment on how it will act in practice.

Originally Posted by nomadking (Post 36042371)

Which part of "without considering profit" do you not understand?

Originally Posted by nomadking (Post 36042371)

Which part of "without considering profit" do you not understand?

Originally Posted by Sephiroth (Post 36042373)

Originally Posted by Hugh (Post 36042387)

AZ, and various countries medical organisations are (during the pandemic) - investing in future customers...

Originally Posted by Sephiroth (Post 36042363)